Melena Thropp lets go of her green daughter before turning to Nessa with a big smile on her face. "Happy birthday my precious rose!"
She wraps her arms around a shocked Nessa and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Melena noticed the expression after pulling away from a hug. "What's the matter? You never seen your old mother before?" She teased before chuckling.
No I have not, Nessa thought to herself still trying to get over the shock.
"Mother? You're… You're alive?!"
Melena looked confused and chuckles, "Of course I'm alive!"
Shell says jumping up and down in excitement, "We came to see you on your birthday! Surprise!"
Nessa hears the green girl ask, "Where's father?"
"He's off on a conference in the Emerald City. He wishes to be here with us for your birthday Nessa," Melena replied to both girls.
"Let's go have breakfast at Ozbucks. My treat."
With that the Thropps head down the cafe and found a table with four chairs after ordering their food and drinks.
"Mama," Shell complains, "Why do I have to have spinach and eggs and no pancakes?"
"Because I said so," Melena said sternly.
"But Nessa is getting pancakes!"
"It's her birthday Shell," she explains. "She gets to have what she wants for today."
Shell huffed and crossed his arms leaning against the seat. Melena's eyes went to Elphaba who is reading the newspaper she picked up on the way in not paying attention at all.
"Elphaba you know that no reading is allowed at the table."
"Sorry mother," Elphaba says folding the newspaper, "I'm trying to look over current events about Animals. It's been a month since Dr. Dillamond has been fired and ever since then, things got completely worse. Animals across Oz are losing their jobs and now in this case…"
She gestures to the paper. "… Lost their homes forcing them to flee or get arrested!"
"Now Elphaba-"
"Mother it's terrible! Someone set fire to the Bear's home yesterday! Now they are homeless and have nowhere to go!"
Shell joins in on the conversation. "If that wasn't bad enough, someone ransacked the Cow's home and she and her children were beaten and slaughtered-"
"Shell!"
"Wait," Elphaba asked nearly jumping out of her seat facing her brother. "Cervi and her children were killed!?"
"It was bad," Shell answers nodding solemnly. "I wasn't sure if there was an investigation or anything."
Elphaba faced her mother and nearly shouts getting angry. "You see what I mean mother?! This is completely unfair and cruel-"
Melena interrupts before her children get to say more. "Enough, let's not bring this discussion to the table. Today is Nessa's birthday and we are spending time together as a family."
"But-"
"No 'buts!'"
The green girl snorted leaning back in her seat scowling furiously.
Then their mother says now sounding calm, "I agree with your statement butterfly. But we will discuss this later. Right now we are celebrating Nessa's birthday."
Reluctantly, Elphaba nodded the sour mood fading away. At least has someone on her side.
The conversation is now interrupted when the waiter shows up with the food and setting them on the table.
Melena asks her daughter while cutting her eggs, "So Nessie, how is the semester going for you?"
The girl clearly had nothing to say except, "It was alright."
"I trust that your sister helped you get around?"
"She did… But I managed figure out on my own," answered Nessa.
"That's wonderful! Have you been doing well in class?"
"I have," Nessa replies. "Life sciences is good. Politics are tough but I started to get the hang of it. But algebra was a struggle. It still is."
Melena smiled but the green girl points out still picking at her vegetable omelette. "Nessa, I tutored you on algebra and you're still struggling? What happened to acing the test last week?"
"Oh I did?" Nessa questioned before acting surprised. "Oh I did! I guess I haven't been struggling."
"Are you alright Nessie?" She heard her elder sister ask.
The younger Thropp nodded eating her food.
"How's everything at home?" Nessa asked quickly changing the subject after swallowing her pancakes.
Their mother replies, "It's been well. Of course we missed you both! Especially Shell. He's doing well in school."
"Yeah! I aced most of the subjects!" Her brother said happy.
"And father?" Nessa asked.
"Your father has been working very hard," said Melena. "He's been attending a lot of conferences and changing a few laws recently..."
After more conversations and empty plates later, Melena turns to her green daughter. "Fabala, I hope you don't mind if I take your sister on a walk for a little while. Can you watch Shell for me please?"
Elphaba nodded getting up out of her chair with her coffee cup.
"I just need to pay and give the waiter a tip but Shell do you need to use the bathroom first?"
The boy's cheeks turned red in embarrassment groaning, "Moooommm…"
"Honey, you've been holding it in for the entire ride to Shiz. I know you have to go."
Shell sighs, "Fine."
Melena takes the boy by the hand and leads him away from his sisters and heading to the restroom.
The green girl picked up her bag and hoisted it over her shoulder when suddenly she bumped into a figure behind her which made her spill her drink onto her uniform.
"Shiz!" She cursed.
"Oh I'm so sorry," said a concerned male voice. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine-"
Elphaba turns around about to tell the person off when she saw a man who looks to be about her age.
Both eyes have met, chocolate to sapphire blue.
He clears his throat and asks his voice still full of concern, "Are you sure? I can buy you another coffee?"
"I don't need your pity," Elphaba snaps. "I am fully capable of getting myself another coffee, thank you."
"Oh… Alright…" He was about to walk away and notice something familiar about her.
"Wait, I have seen you before!"
"I'm pretty sure you have seen me all over campus along with every other student," she said dryly. "And before you ask, no I am not seasick, yes I've always been green and no I didn't eat grass as a child-"
"We're in Life Science class together!"
"I don't recall ever meeting you-"
"You're the lion cub girl!"
The color on the green girl's face has drained into a paler shade.
"That cub was about to be experimented on and I just got mad and-"
"I get it," he said rubbing the back of his head with his hand. "I was going to help you but I was suddenly out of control for some unknown reason. But at least I lived."
Elphaba tries to change the subject to avoid talking about it any further. "That's wonderful and all but if you'll excuse me-"
She was interrupted when they both heard the bell ring as the door swings open revealing Galinda.
"Fiyerooooooo," the blonde sing-songs a call. "Come on! We're gonna be late for class!"
He looks back and calls back at her. "I'll meet you there, I'm waiting on my coffee!"
Galinda smiles. "I love you dearest!"
"I-I love you too," he replies as she leaves. His head turns back to the green girl who grabbed a napkin and wiped the front of her uniform and saw her mother coming back with Shell.
"I have to go," she says leaving the prince alone at the counter still waiting on his coffee before he says anything.
"A-alright," he said sounding somewhat dejectedly. "I hope to see you again."
Elphaba didn't answer but heard that. Her heart was pounding really quick. It felt so odd that someone who was not related to her can see past her green skin.
Nessarose was watching the whole entire time got up and went over to her sister with a question.
"Why aren't you with Fiyero? You are supposed to be his girlfriend."
She turns to Nessa with a look like her sister was nuts.
"Seriously Nessa, what is going on with you?"
"I am fine. I'm just…"
She was about to answer when Melena came over interrupting them.
"Are you ready my precious Rose?"
Nessa replies, "Yes."
With that her mother took her hand and the two head over to Shiz Gardens by the courtyard where they have a talk.
"Why did you bring me here mother?" Nessa asked out of curiosity.
Melena replies still holding her hand, "I just wanted to spend some quality time with the birthday girl alone. I figured that's what you would want. Besides, it's been a while since I saw the Gardens. The flowers are even more beautiful than the last time I saw them when I was here.'
"You went to Shiz?"
"About twenty five years ago. I took literature which was my favorite class. I found fictional stories fascinating than nonfiction. I also love to write poems and creative writing."
"Creative writing? You write stories?"
"Yes. I always had an incredible imagination. Your grandparents never approved of that but allowed it anyways. I always thought fantasy is better than reality."
Nessa frowned a little. This is exactly what she's thinking all day. This is her fantasy which can turn into reality. But this was too good. Nessa knew there was a catch somewhere, like she had gained a mother and a brother when Elphaba lost her friends and boyfriend.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," Melena says happily.
"Why do you call Elphaba butterfly?" Nessa asked sounding curious again before saying, "I bet you did tell me before. I just… Forgot."
Melena didn't hesitate to tell the story.
"When I was pregnant with you at the time, Elphaba who was almost three years old was playing in the gardens and I couldn't help but watch. She was looking at the beautiful roses when a butterfly flew and landed on her hand. She looked very interested in it because of the beautiful colors on the wings. After it flew away she tries to chase it but then out of nowhere I think four or five more butterflies show up and landed on her hand, head and arms. Surprisingly she didn't get scared, cry, or run away. Instead she was laughing, enjoying herself. The only thing I was upset about that I wished I took a picture of her. But I still gave her the nickname. A lot of people including their children call her all sort of horrendible nicknames like frog, lizard girl, all kinds of names so I stuck with butterfly to ensure her that I love her and she's beautiful no matter what her skin color is."
The younger Thropp smiled at the story. She found it adorable and sweet.
Melena finishes putting her hand under her daughter's chin having her eyes look up at her beautiful brown eyes, "And she picked a beautiful rose and gave it to me as a present for you when you come to the world. That's when I found a perfect name for you. Nessarose."
Nessa couldn't help but blush and smile. This is the first time she has had a real conversation with her mother.
"Do you have any more stories to tell? About us when we were children? Just to refresh my mind."
Her mother chuckles and tells a few. One time she and her sister stole a cookie jar and brought it to their room when the entire house was sleeping. They were found the next morning in a food coma. And the one time they were caught drawing on the living room walls with crayons. Of course father wasn't amused by that. And on Mother's Day a few years ago, the three children surprised Melena by serving her breakfast in bed along with a present the three chipped in to buy.
The younger Thropp beamed at the thought of those happening. She just wished that she had seen it all.
Melena wraps her arm around her daughter and says, "I love you very much my precious Rose. Never forget that. And I'm always here for you, your sister and your brother no matter what."
Nessa smiles and tears start to form in her brown eyes.
"Why are you crying my love?" Melena asked brushing away the girl's tears.
Her daughter answers her voice breaking, "Nothing… I just miss you so much!"
Smiling and chuckling a little she wraps Nessa in her arms for a hug as her daughter cries.
The hug lasted for what felt like a while and Melena lets go as Elphaba and Shell came back over to the two.
"Mother, Shell won't stop bothering me and I needed to study for an exam in Life Sciences tomorrow," she complains.
Her mother chuckles wiping Nessa's tears, "Don't worry butterfly. You won't babysit anymore."
"Thank Oz…" The green girl sighs tiredly.
"I'm going to take Shell for a walk around the Ozdust before we have your birthday dinner Nessie. You and your sister will meet me at the Wilted Rose around six?"
Elphaba and Nessa nodded.
"Great!" She gave both girls a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you both in a little while. Come along Shell."
With that, Melena and Shell left the girls alone in the middle of campus.
"Alright Nessa, I'm going to head to the library to study," the green girl said stuffing her books in her bag. "It shouldn't take too long."
"Hey artichoke!"
They turned around seeing Galinda with her posse behind her strolling over to the Thropp sisters.
The green girl rolls her eyes in annoyance. "What do you want Miss Galinda?" She asked darkly.
"You are in our space. Can you maybe I don't know, MOVE?!"
Elphaba says her arms extending out in exasperation, "The whole campus is your space! You can take you and your little friends someplace else."
"So you and your friends can ruin everyone else's space with your ugliness. Oh that's right, you don't have any cause you disgust pretty much everyone," Galinda snaps at her before tossing her hair as the girls laugh.
Nessarose couldn't take it anymore.
She went up to Galinda and shouts, "How dare you insult my sister like that!"
"Oh really?" Galinda says in a bratty tone, "Why do you keep defending her? It must've been so embarrassing to have an artichoke for a sister!"
Then what she said next really pushed Nessa's buttons.
"By the way, I saw you two with your mother earlier. I can't help but ask this question. Is she color blind or something?"
That was where Nessa saw red. Without even thinking, not one bit, she stepped forward and slapped Galinda hard in the face and everyone gasps as the blonde stepped back in shock.
The girls jumped to her defense but Galinda raised her hand signaling the girls to step back and let her handle this.
Little did Nessa know was that she was about to get slapped as soon as she saw a pale hand come up swinging back about to hit her. She immediately dodged it but accidentally stumbled onto Galinda resulting in the fight broken out between them.
Elphaba immediately tries to break both of the girls up. "Nessa! Please stop!"
But the girls kept fighting physically and the other students cheer on.
"Nessa stop!"
The words fell on deaf ears as Galinda's fist went in contact to Nessa's face.
"TAKE EVERY WORD BACK YOU SAID!" Nessa roars still pinning Galinda to the ground. "EVERY WORD!"
The green girl screams frantically and angrily throwing her hands up in the air, "NESSAROSE STOP!"
And before anyone knew it, Galinda and Nessa stopped fighting each other… But Nessa still on top of Galinda her hands on her shoulders not moving.
"What just happened? Why can't I move?!" Nessarose shouts still frozen in place.
"Get off of me!" Galinda grits her teeth angrily.
Elphaba looked at her green hands seeing that the glow has fading which meant one thing.
"Oh sweet Oz, what have I done…"
FINALLY! This chapter took me 2 months to do! I really have to stop procrastinating on this story lol!
Hey y'all I hope you enjoyed this story so far! I am going to try to update when I can because of my job, rehearsals for the musical and the wedding next weekend. It's all bananas over here. More ideas flooded my head and I was thinking of making a crossover with this and Harry Potter at some point later this year. I also am currently writing other stories I need to get out of the way like Fiyero's individual story, an Elphaba sickfic, a Secret Lurline story, a camping story and finally the story about Elphaba having visions of what happened during act 2.
Of course I need to get back to writing the other stories I haven't updated in forever and finish them but I could use some help! Be sure to write positive reviews or PM to me WaitJustAClockTick! Till next time, GOODNIGHT! PEACE!